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RYAN PYETTE, QMI Agency

Apr 16, 2014

, Last Updated: 9:50 PM ET

LONDON, ONT. - Twenty-two years ago, Soo Greyhounds forward Chris Simon was kicked out of the last three games of the OHL final for spearing after racking up 35 missed regular-season games due to suspension.

In 2000, Barrie's Ryan O'Keefe was handed an indefinite ban that lasted more than 20 games for a faceoff slewfoot of North Bay's Derrell Upton, who broke his ankle on the play.

Those two players were granted permission to take part in the Memorial Cup that season. Their situations are a big reason why London goalie Anthony Stolarz had the final two games shaved off his eight-game penalty for a one-handed hack to the back of Windsor centre Josh Ho-Sang's head.

“We rely on what happened in the past and the fact there was no injury on the play, fortunately,” OHL vice-president Ted Baker said. “We've addressed similar situations in the past. It was out of our control how many games London would play but we made it clear right from the start his participation in the Memorial Cup would be reviewed once the Knights' season was over.

“It's not like something we're making up as we go along here. It was something communicated within the original suspension release.”

By the league's estimation, Stolarz did not commit an act that was outside the boundaries to the extent that he forfeited his privilege to play in the Ontario Hockey League again.

“If you lose that, you've lost your privilege to play in the Memorial Cup,” Baker said. “We said at the time London would have an opportunity to appeal or Stolarz's suspension would be reviewed to determine his eligibility.